Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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Fires First Shots in Anger Late on the evening of February 6, Coral Sea was slicing through the waters of the Western Pacific enroute to Manila, Republic of the Philippines. Part of her crew were watching and playing Bingo over KCVA-TV. Others had turned in for the evening con- templating rest and relaxation in Manila. However, at 6:12 a.m. the following morn- ing, word flashed to all units of Task Force 77 to rendezvous at an appointed area, and to begin preparations for a re- taliatory strike into North Viet Nam. Coral Sea immediately reversed her course and steamed at full speed toward the ren- dezvous area. Simultaneously, the pilots of Carrier Air Wing FIFTFEN were awakened and told to prepare for action. Below decks, ordnance- men were busily assembling bombs and load- ing them on aircraft which were positioned on the flight deck. The majority of the crew were still unaware of the crisis until they found the mess decks full of bombs where messing tables used to stand. Captain Cassell announced the situation to his crew. During the previous evening, guerilla attacks against American bases in South Viet Nam had cost the lives of several Americans and injured many more.